The Story Of Mary McLane By Herself

This story of the little known “Wild Woman of Butte” or Mary McLane is a rustic but densely beautiful patchwork of music and text with a little mysticism thrown in for good measure. Cue the statement, “There is nothing quite so cosmic as a cold boiled potato.” 

Quirky and endearing, dangerous and edgy that is Mary McLane. A woman ahead of her time, openly bisexual and a vocal feminist, she obviously ruffled more than a few feathers during first part of the 20th century. But she was also wildly popular and incredibly forthright, having written her autobiography by the age of 19, which sold more than 100,000 copies.

This production, commissioned by Griffin, Malthouse and Merrigong is a wonderful piece of theatre inspired by vaudeville which feels like a travelling bunch of theatre folk from another era just happened along at the Griffin Theatre and decided to put on a show.

Bojana Novakovic’s portrayal of Mary is captivating, while Tim Rogers and his rag-tag band of music makers provide the seamless vehicle with which to progress the story.

The set, with its frayed ragged edges - in that shabby chic sort of way – is perfect and yet again one marvels at how transformed The Griffin’s tiny space is.

Tanya Goldberg’s direction is interesting and economical without being repetitive.

It is a rare and special thing when a piece of theatre makes you want to find out more about its subject and that is precisely what The Story Of Mary Mclane By Herself does. I guarantee you will be swept along by the music and Mary.

Whitney Fitzsimmons

Images: Bojana Novakovic and the band Tim Rogers (lead guitar), Mark Harris (double bass) and Andrew Baylor (violin). Photogapher: Brett Boardman.